Exercise and perch system for domestic cats

ABSTRACT

A collapsible and scaleable floor to ceiling post forming an exercise and perch system for domestic cats. Using integral platforms ( 37,44 ) that function as steps and perching areas ( 35 ). The post may be adjusted to different ceiling heights by adding or removing interchangeable sections ( 41,44 ) and provides fine adjustment with a telescopic section that is spring biased ( 28 ) to limit forces on the ceiling. The step/platforms are rotationally spaced by 120 degrees for an optimal rise to run ratio resulting in climbing comfort, ascend and descend speed, safety, and contemporary appearance. The post has a cross-section that forces step and loft mounting at 120° intervals using multiples of three cross-sectional facets. The assembly provides for a removable scratching area near the bottom of the post and padded perch area nearest the ceiling.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Invention

Domestic cats seek perch areas that are highest in order to maintain asense of security, comfort and stalking advantage. Cats also requiresurfaces for exercise of their claws and for climbing. Older cats, orthose without claws are limited in their climbing ability, but also needan apparatus that provides a challenging climbing experience withstalking advantage. The present invention seeks to address the need foran easily assembled and installed rigid columnar spring tensioned floorto ceiling support structure that can be readily adapted to provide anattractive cat climbing exercise and loft system utilizing a minimum offloor space in the home.

In a preferred embodiment the novel structure of the invention forms alightweight collapsible segmented rigid center support columnincorporating radial stair treads spaced at intervals along the columnto form a spiral staircase having a spring assembly at one end forcompressive mounting between floor and ceiling. The device is scaleablefor varying floor to ceiling heights and location anywhere in a room,providing loft space nearest the ceiling, made in relatively smallcomponent parts that can be easily assembled and disassembled andoffering compact retail packaging and ease of assembly. These and otherobjectives of the invention will be more fully understood from thedetailed description and drawings.

2. Description of Prior Art

The exercise and perch systems common in the art generally require alarge footprint in order to stabilize them and provide safety fromfalling over. Other prior art structures fail to provide the rigidityand stability for locating the larger functional elements needed toprovide perching or resting space near the top with smaller elementsnear the bottom to minimize floor space.

Among such prior art devices the most basic exercise and scratch deviceis exemplified by that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,423 to Kaplan (1981)which consists of a short square post covered by tightly wound rope.This device requires a large base to stabilize a short scratching columnin order to balance the weight of the cat and its scratching force andlacks the climbing and elevated perch areas.

U.S. Pat. No. D 355,057 to Northrop (1995) provides a wider base andtapered pole which is also wider at the base to give increased stabilityduring scratching but doesn't provide scalability, climbing or perchingand still requires a large floor footprint.

Other designs known in the art take advantage of the spiral staircaseconcept, but consume inordinate floor space for their height and lackthe center core supporting structure giving both vertical and horizontalrigidity and stability needed for high elevation perching. For example,U.S. Pat. No. D 473,020 to DeRaspe-Bolles et al. (2003), and U.S. Pat.No. 6,490,997 to Biermann et al. (2002) use short designs which alsonarrow as they become taller and provide insufficient resting area atthe top. Their limited height fails to satisfy the cat's need formaximum stalking advantage.

Still other known designs provide floor to ceiling climb and perch butsuffer significant disadvantages compared to the structure of thepresent invention. For example;

U.S. Pat. No. D 461,026 to Mason (2002) utilizes a cage-like structurewith outer stair tread supports to provide stability requiring aconstant diameter the entire length which doesn't allow for minimizingrequired floor space or ease of assembly and disassembly.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,990 to Crow (1969) also shows consistent outsidediameter and floor space requirement from floor to ceiling without anyof the present invention's means for providing center core vertical andhorizontal stability and strength to prevent excessive movement whencats spring from one area to the next. Crow's design takes advantage ofbeing spring biased to the ceiling, but negates the effectiveness of thespring to compensate for fluctuations in floor to ceiling distance owingto changes in materials caused by humidity and the like.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,479,991 to Lichtenberger (1969) like Crow lacks centercore stabilizing elements held rigid by compression to minimize movementof the stair treads under loading and unloading. Lichtenberger's deviceis adjusted in place by the jack screw at the bottom but lacks a springelement to automatically accommodate changes in floor and ceilingdistance with changing conditions.

U.S. Pat. No. D 233,844 to Littleton (1974) consumes excessive space byusing relatively large rectangular steps at 90° intervals and like theothers fails to provide any means for creating center pole stability andrigidity as provided by the central rod of the current device which tiestogether the multiplicity of column segments (spacers and stair treads)to provide a vertically and horizontally stable rigid structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,209 to Parker (1971) like Crow, Littleton andLichtenberger lacks the central compression rod element of the presentinvention, rather utilizing single round dowels and sockets to joinsections failing to stop accidental rotation of steps and lacks a largerest area near the top.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,604,397 to Salerno (1971) provides a floor to ceilingcolumn with just a single shelf midway up the entirely carpeted column.This device seems intended exclusively for cats with claws since itlacks additional steps and forces the cat to jump or claw its way to theperch area. There is no suggestion of a segmented column undercompression independent of the tensioning spring holding the column inplace between floor and ceiling

U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,390 to Jonilla, et al. (1998) relies on fastening toa wall or doorframe for stability and is therefore not readilyrelocatable to anywhere in a room

Other structures known in the art such as one sold by Precision PineInc. of Knoxville, Tenn. (http://www.catspiral.com) uses verticalspacers but lacks a central compression rod to provide vertical andhorizontal stability for the steps and perch. Nor does the PrecisionPine structure and similar devices provide the automatic adjustment fortemporary changes in floor to ceiling distance. Moreover there isnothing to suggest the rotationally indexed steps forming a spiralstaircase of the present invention or the spring biased jack screwassembly for easy insertion of the structure anywhere in the room

As distinguished from the prior art structures the present inventionprovides a unique versatile climbing, scratching, exercise and restingdevice for pet cats that is comprised of relatively small componentparts that are conveniently packaged in a compact space and readilyassembled to form a sturdy, attractive floor to ceiling structure thatis alluring to cats encouraging them to exercise by appealing to theirinstinct to scratch, climb and stalk in a manner that is safe for thecat and the surroundings utilizing minimum floor space with greaterutilization of higher spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The novel structure of this invention provides a rigid segmented corecolumn capable of supporting a variety of radially extendingmultipurpose appendages for removable insertion between fixed opposingsurfaces which in one preferred embodiment constitutes a spiralstaircase with elevated loft area and detachable scratch surfaces as anexercise and resting area for pet cats. In a particularly preferredembodiment the use of semicircular radial steps that each encompass a120 degree arc spaced at intervals along the column to provide a longercurved walking track area allowing for faster and safer ascent anddescent for clawed and clawless cats by providing a uniform path foreach. The use of steps having a varying radius of small at the bottomand increasing as the height increases allows setup nearer tofurnishings on the floor, provides more floor space for occupants of thehome to move about, and provides added safety for the pet as the heightincreases. An axial core rod assembly optionally also segmentedindependently provides compressive force on the column components forincreased structural stability when in use. Provision is made foraccessory scaling kits composed of additional spacers, treads, and corerod segment, that allow for installing the device in rooms with varyingceiling heights. The use of a spring biased adjuster mechanism protectsthe ceiling and accommodates changes in floor to ceiling distance whilein place owing to such things as floor and ceiling materials,temperature and humidity and materials of construction.

Objects and Advantages

Accordingly, in addition to the advantages of the semi-circular stepsthat increase in radius as the height becomes significant, large restingarea, and active adjustment described above, several objects andadvantages of the present invention are:

-   -   a. A strong central core columnar structure composed of multiple        spacer elements and one or more functional elements with an        axial rod assembly providing rigidity by means of fastener means        securing the Rod assembly to the terminal ends of the terminal        spacer elements comprising the column or separately columnar        sections with a segmented axial rod.    -   b. A base plate assembly attached to one end of the column for        mating with the floor and an independent jack screw spring        assembly with an appropriate flat surface plate for mating with        the ceiling to allow for compressive insertion between floor and        ceiling and automatic spring adjustment for in-use variability.    -   c. Structural integrity and rigidity imparted to the segmented        column provided by the compressive force asserted on the column        main body of the by the axial rod assembly independent of any        ancillary compressive force contributed by the jack screw spring        assembly once the entire structure is compressively inserted        between floor and ceiling.    -   d. Use of minimal clearance hole in the step and loft elements        limits the ability of the compressive rod system to flex        laterally and improves rigidity.    -   e. Use of an independent adjustment assembly like the spring        biased jack screw system allows the infinite scaling of the base        column. Joining the adjustment system using devices like        cam-nuts with cam-dowels or screws in conjunction with pin and        socket details maintains overall rigidity of the entire floor to        ceiling system and allows for easy assembly or disassembly.    -   f. The use of cam-screws and cam-dowels to join columnar        elements axially is unique and firmly maintains rotational        alignment. This type of hardware is routinely used to join        sheets of wood in right angle connections, but not in an axial        mode for columnar assembly.    -   g. Minimal footprint on floor making cleaning easier, providing        a minimalist appearance, and allowing more floor space for        occupant movement and furnishings    -   h. The small lower steps provide a minimum track width for safe        passage of all cats.    -   i. Increased step area for added safety as height increases.    -   j. An ergonomic rise to track run length ratio of approximately        7:9, using 120° intervals for step rotation in combination with        “gingko” leaf like (semicircular) shape for appearance and        improved ascent and descent efficiency. The rise is defined by        the average vertical step to step distance and the track run        length is defined by the center path used by a cat on the        smallest steps.    -   k. Built-in indexing is achieved by using apex dowels or tab and        socket details that makes correct assembly easier.    -   l. Modularity allowing the consumer to increase or decrease the        height of the system by adding or removing sets of steps or        lofts and spacers, dowels and coupler-screws to manage ceiling        heights from 7 to more than 14 feet.    -   m. Use of high density plywood steps and perch area to provide        optimal stiffness without increasing the weight or expense of        the system. This material removes the need for branch-like        supports. The preferred material is “Multiply Birch” plywood by        Multiply Birch Plywood Company, Timberland, U.K. or generic        versions often referred to as Findlandia or Russian Birch.    -   n. Multiply Birch or similar also simplifies manufacturing by        eliminating grain direction strength issues that occur when        using natural (non-engineered) solid wood in a cantilever        manner.    -   o. Spring biased adjustment and compressing assembly firmly        positions the post anywhere in a room. This feature        automatically compensates for changes over time in floor        material like carpet padding and protects the ceiling from        excessive forces while providing stability.    -   p. Carpet pads on each step and loft to provide traction and        comfort. These pads adhere to the tops of the steps and        eliminate added material and labor costs associated with        covering top, bottom and edges of the steps. Carpet pads that        only cover the top of the step allows the edge of the step to        show its natural detail.    -   q. Allows for a padded loft pillow covered with fabric or fleece        and filled with memory foam or conventional padding. These        pillows are attached to the loft with hook and loop fasteners        for easy removal and machine washing.    -   r. Allows for replaceable scratching pad made of carpet or        spiral wrapped cord attached to the near-floor spacer elements        using thumb-screw hardware or notches at the end of the spacers        to trap knotted or crimped cord ends.    -   s. Uses non-marring rubber pads for adhesion to floor and        ceiling and lessens the need for fixed mounting hardware and        eliminates rotation of entire device.    -   t. The sizing screw and its sleeve are “D” shaped to        rotationally lock the ceiling disk and adjuster system to the        column and thereby keeps the column, ceiling and base disks in        the same orientation.    -   u. Uses dowels or tabs at apexes or regular intervals to improve        lateral stiffness and provide inherent indexing at 120-degree        intervals.    -   v. Use of coupler-screws manages material error tolerance of        individual components for each section of threaded rod and        compressively joins multiple elements into a rigid structure        without the need to change threaded rod length.    -   w. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become        apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing        descriptions.

These and other advantages as well as adapting the structure forpurposes other than cat exercising and resting device and formultipurpose uses such as display shelving will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows the fully assembled post and loft system with two loftsviewed from the side.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the entire system with additionalmedium size steps added to accommodate higher ceilings.

FIG. 3 shows details of modularity and automatic rotational indexing ofsteps by dowels at apexes.

FIG. 4 shows individual components of the spring biased heightadjustment system in exploded and assembled views.

FIG. 5 shows the “D” shaped threaded rod, “D” shaped sleeve and springcavity/seat detail.

FIG. 6 shows a coupler-screw assembly formed by the fusion of a threadedrod and a coupler nut accomplished by welding, crimping, pinning, ordeformation of threads.

FIG. 7 shows the comparative sizes of the steps and loft(s). Only threesizes are shown, but versions with a greater variety of individuallysized steps are permitted for improved appearance.

FIGS. 8A and 8B shows two top-down views of the loft system positionedclose to the corner of a room. 8A shows a two loft version, while 8Bshows a single loft version.

FIG. 9 shows the shape of the scratch pad and its mounting holes.

FIG. 10 defines the Hub Area, Step Radius and Curved Walking Track Area.

FIG. 11 Shows the shape of the carpet used on each step and loft.

FIG. 12 shows an alternate embodiment where round or tri-polygonal(multiples of three sides) tubing is used as spacer material and indexdowels are replaced by integral tab sockets created in the manufactureof the tubing and steps and lofts.

FIG. 13 shows an alternate embodiment where steps and the upright spacer(or tube material) are combined into a single composite element withkeyed mating surfaces for automatic indexing and strength.

FIG. 14 shows an alternate embodiment where a hollow extrusion is usedand provide apex dowel sockets and reinforcing ribs for lateralstrength.

FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment where the steps are allowed topivot using a pair of right angle plates. One horizontal plate face iscompressed between the vertical spacers and the other horizontal plateface mounts the underside of a step. These vertical plate faces areattached with a fastener to form an adjustable pivot point.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   20. Friction Pad-   21. T-Nut (large)-   22. Ceiling Disc-   23. Shim-   24. Lock Nut-   25. Sizing Screw, “D” shape-   26. Adjusting Knob-   27. Washer-   28. Spring-   29. Sleeve, “D” Shape-   30. Screw-Jack Housing-   31. Cam Dowels-   32. Cap Nut-   33. Loft Rod-   34. Stack Terminator-   35. Loft-   36. Index dowels (long)-   37. Small Step-   38. Loft Spacer-   39. Coupler Nut-   40. Lock Washer-   41. Standard Spacer-   42. Index Dowels (medium)-   43. Medium Rod-   44. Mid-Step-   45. Long Rod-   46. Base Spacer-   47. Index Dowels (small)-   48. Base Disc-   49. T-Nut-   50. Step with sockets for tabs-   51. Hole for coupler-screw-   52. Sockets for Tabs-   53. Tube-   54. Tabs-   55. One Piece Step/Spacer-   56. Exposed Edge-   57. Cam Nuts-   58. Wall surface-structure-   59. Hub Area of step or loft-   60. Curved Walking Track Area-   61. Step or Loft Radius-   62. Scratch Pad-   63. Mounting Grommets-   64. Thumb Screws-   65. Extruded Spacer-   66. Positioning Ribs-   67. Anti-Flex Ribs-   68. Integral Dowel Socket Area-   69. Spring Holding Socket-   70. Carpet-   71. 120 Degree Rotation Tab-   72. Key-   73. Key-Way-   74. Adjustable Step Mount-   75. Adjustable Step Bracket-   76. Adjustable Step-   77. Pivot Fastener

Description—FIG. 1-11—Preferred Embodiment

A preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a cat exerciseand perch system is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 11.

FIG. 1 illustrates the entire system in a side view of a two loftversion as seen by an occupant of the room.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the entire system maximized with twolofts and step/spacer add-ons that allow the system to extend forexample from about 84 inches for typical room construction using eightfoot studs to 160 inches or more employing auxiliary spacer elements andthreaded rod segment-coupler screws as needed. This expansion is enabledby the addition of spacer and functional elements to the column as shownfor example by the addition of step, loft (35, 37, 44), spacer (38 or41) and coupler-screw (33 or 43) elements.

Spacers (38, 41, 46) can be of any given length and need not be uniformthough for practical production reasons it is preferred to have uniformspacers generally varying in length from about 3 inches to more thanabout 12 inches. Spacers between small and mid size steps are typicallyabout 6 to 7.5 inches long. Spacers have an equilateral triangularcross-section naturally providing 120-degree rotational increments forrotational indexing of step and loft elements to make a spiral staircaseand give a pleasing aesthetic appearance. Dowels (31, 36, 42, 47) ofvarying lengths are inserted between the steps, lofts, and spacers andprovide lateral strength and allow for rotational indexing and addedstability against rotational movement. Other forms of indexing the stepsand the spacers such as tabs and grooves, ridges and channels and thelike which are common in the art may also be utilized.

FIG. 3 Shows a magnified view of the spacers, dowels, andcoupler-screws. The triangular column shown in FIG. 3 is particularlysuited functionally to facilitate assembly of the embodiment havingstair treads spiraling about the column at 120 degrees of arc, eachspacer and a matching triangular insert portion of each stair tread canconveniently be fitted with dowel receiving holes or other indexingmeans, whereby in assembly each tread is simply rotated 120 degrees fromthe previous tread with the indexing means uniformly in each apex of thetriangle.

FIG. 4 illustrates the separable fine adjustment system using cam-nutwith cam-dowel connection to the base column and spring compressionassembly that improves the stability of the column held between floorand ceiling by automatically compensating for variations in floor toceiling distance that occur over time owing to settling, humiditychanges and other changing conditions that result in minor expansions orcontractions. The screw-jack housing (30) provides cavity and seat forthe spring (28) that limits the force on the ceiling by only allowinghalf of the spring's force (“spring-rate”) to be applied to the ceiling.The knob (26) compresses the spring (28) against the seat in thescrew-jack housing and raises the sizing screw (25), ceiling disk (22),and friction pad (20) against the ceiling as it is tightened. The sleeve(29) provides a bearing surface for the sizing screw (25). Thefunctional portion of the column of the invention including spacers andsteps, lofts and the like, not including the jack screw spring assemblythat is generally attached to the top of the column and the baseplatform generally attached to the bottom of the column, is held incompression by the core rod assembly comprised of rods externallythreaded at both ends and internally threaded coupler-nuts with pin orequivalent (forming a coupler-screw) means to limit penetration depthfrom either side and means such as T-nuts for engaging the couplerscrews with the upper and lower surfaces of the terminal spacers formingthe column or separate columnar segment in the preferred embodimentemploying a segmented threaded core rod and coupler-screws. Thecompression of the column elements provides rigidity and stability tothe structure independent of any additional compressive force providedby the use of the spring device used in maintaining the entire structurefixed between floor and ceiling. The rigidity and both vertical andhorizontal stability provided for the functional portion of the deviceby placing the main body of the columnar structure under compression isnecessary in order to avoid excessive force being exerted on the floorand ceiling which permits the insertion of the device at any place in aroom without regard to the limit the location to areas where the floorand ceiling directly above are both adequately reinforced to carry theforce necessary to give the requisite strength to the functional portionof the column, e.g. the stability needed to allow for cats to springfrom step to step in the case where the device is a spiral exercisestaircase and loft for pet cats. Rotationally stability of the stairtreads about the column but is provided by the axial compression corerod and indexing dowels. As an alternative to threaded rods one may usea tubular element with internal threading at the ends and an externallythreaded screw with a sleeve or other limiting means to restrict theextent of penetration into the tube in joining separate sections toenable generating sufficient torque to create compression withoutallowing the coupler screw to be primarily or entirely engaged with onlyone of the mating rod or tube sections. The cam-nut and cam-dowelelements compressively join the base column with its step and loftelements to the adjuster assembly providing a rigid system from floor toceiling.

FIG. 5 shows a magnified cut-away view of the top of the screw-jackhousing (30), spring (28), “D” shaped sleeve (29), and “D” shaped sizingscrew (25). The “D” shaped detail rotationally locks the ceiling pad tothe column and simplifies ceiling adjustment. Section view A-A shows thefit of the “D” shaped sleeve in the screw-jack housing.

FIG. 6 illustrates coupler-screws that compress the system. Multiplecoupler-screws and threaded rods of varying lengths are used throughoutthe system to maximize compression and to provide shorter lengths forconvenience in packaging and transport as well as for ease of assemblyand storage. As the continuous core compression rod may be comprised ofone or more rod sections with terminal cap nut securing the entirefunctional section of column under compression it will be understoodthat in the case where the core rod is composed of multiple rod segmentsmated end to end with coupler screws the rod segments are of sufficientlength to span at least two spacer or functional elements preferably twoor more spacers with at least one functional element sandwiched between.It will be appreciated that for each length of core compression rod thecoupler screws are axially engaged with the terminal ends of the spacersor functional elements, such as stair treads, to exert an intermediatecompressive force with the full force on the entire functional columnsection being determined by cap screws (or T-Nuts) at the extreme endsof the combined rod engaged with the terminal ends of the spacers andfunctional elements comprising the main columnar assembly but excludingthe base platform assembly and jack screw spring assembly cap andcolumn.

FIG. 7, elements 35, 37, and 44 illustrates the relative difference insize of the steps and loft platforms. To allow for minimum floor spaceutilization the lower several steps, e.g., about six are smallest shownas element 37 and form the overall diameter of the assembled system forthe first several feet of elevation allowing occupants to utilize spaceunder the upper steps and loft(s) for improved movement or furnitureplacement within a room. Smaller steps (37) may also be used asstiffeners for reinforcement under the larger steps and the lofts toprovide added strength to reduce flexing under load.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate top views of the system with single and duallofts. FIG. 8A shows the distance from a corner required by the dualloft system and FIG. 8B shows a closer fit to a room's corner.

FIG. 9 Shows the removable scratch pad (62). Its v-shaped ends andgrommets (63) distribute the scratching forces evenly. Knurled thumbscrews are used for easy removal and reinstallation for cleaning.

FIG. 10 shows step and loft features FIG. 11 shows an illustrative shapeof steps carpet, and loft. It will be obvious that other, preferablyaesthetically pleasing designs may be utilized

FIGS. 8A—Additional Embodiments

FIG. 8A illustrates a two loft version to accommodate two catssimultaneously. A third loft can easily be added as needed using thesame components.

The loft platforms may be used together as shown in 8A, or separated byadditional spacers and steps to provide perch areas at multipleelevations with narrow step platforms between the larger lofts.

An elongated step or loft platform with the hub connection detail onopposite ends can be used to connect two adjacent free standing systemstogether thereby increasing the step and perch area for multipleanimals.

FIGS. 12-15—Alternative Embodiments

There are various possibilities with regards to materials andcross-sectional design of the spacer elements and method of joining themto their respective steps or loft(s).

FIG. 12 illustrates the use of plastic pipe (53) as spacers withintegral tabs (54) and steps with socket holes (52) to provide indexingand improved lateral strength. The tab feature could also be integratedin a flange that attaches as a pipe fitting to the end of a tube that iscut even for ease of manufacture.

FIG. 13 shows a one-piece step/spacer element (55) with integral keyedmating features (72,73). This one-piece step/spacer can be producedusing molding or composite techniques. The key and keyway can beproduced with or without bayonet latch pin/socket details. Thisalternate embodiment shares the coupler-screw and spring loadedscrew-jack features to provide rigidity, adjustability and automaticcompensation for changes in ceiling or flooring materials. In preferredembodiment of the cat staircase the semi-circular Gingko shaped stepsencompassing 120 degrees and lofts are used as a commonality betweenvarious embodiments.

FIG. 14 shows a hollow triangular spacer and its integral ribs thatlocate dowels and the adjuster spring.

Steps, lofts, and spacers may also be made from various materials beyondwood and plastics using different processes. In our preferred embodimentthe spacers are produced as extruded triangular plastic componentspreferably polyvinylchloride extrusions with integral indexing elements.

The adjuster mechanism can be driven by a worm and spur gear orplanetary gear system driven by a hex wrench (or similar) in place ofthe adjusting knob.

Still other variations and optional items such as compressible spacers,feeding bowl supports, detachable cushions for the lofts and similaralternative structural and related ancillary features may beincorporated.

FIG. 15 shows an alternate method of mounting steps to enable adjustabletilting of the steps. The adjustable step mount (74) is compressedbetween adjacent spacers (41) and attached to the adjustable stepbracket (75) using a pivot fastener and washer (77,40). The pivotablestep is mounted to the top of the adjustable step bracket (75) and theangle of the step is adjusted by loosening and tightening the pivotfastener (77). Tilting the steps improves ascent and decent efficiencyfor cats with claws.

Advantages

From the description above, a number of advantages of my exercise andperch system become evident:

-   a A retail package that is less than 30 inches long by 20 inches    wide and 5 inches thick contains an entire unit. Whereas competing    devices occupy more than twice this volume in shipment and in store    displays.-   b This is the only device of its type that maintains an automatic    and safe pressure on its support floor and ceiling surfaces.-   c Floor space is conserved for occupants, and cats are provided    additional safety as height increases.-   d The device can be moved at will by uncompressing the spring or    disassembled for shipment and have sections added or removed to    conform to new homes as the owner needs.-   e Steps that encompass a 120 degree arc allow for faster ascent and    descent since more degrees are navigated with fewer step changes in    each 360 degree revolution.-   f Styling is more contemporary than traditional carpet or rope    covered cylinders that use carpet covered particle board steps and    lofts.-   g Using multiple coupler-screw sections and index dowels or tabs    improves rigidity of the post system. Using a greater number of rods    allows for more effective joining of individual sections and results    in a minimal loss of compression efficiency.-   h The sleeve tube that extends through the center of the spring    maximizes useable safe extension of the sizing (adjustment) screw,    improves the stability of the assembled system, and resists    rotation.-   i The semicircular shape of the steps and loft(s) allows the device    to be located nearer to corners than other systems that use square    or rectangular steps.-   j The device is free standing and can be located anywhere in a room    and doesn't require fasteners to maintain its position or security.    Operation—FIGS. 1-4

The assembly of the individual components and the locations of the indexdowels is shown in FIG. 1 and magnified in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4.

FIG. 4 illustrates the assembly of the adjusting components that placesthe system in active compression between the ceiling and the floor.

The consumer assembles section by section adding each spacer, dowels andsteps one at a time. From the bottom and working upward. Each new stepinstalls with a 120 degree offset maintained by the dowels (or tabs) andthen is secured in place by a coupling-screw to receive the next groupof spacers, dowels and steps or lofts, etc. . . . When fully assembledthe unit is raised in its desired location and the knob is tightenedcompressing the spring causing adhesion to the ceiling.

Conclusion, Ramifications, And Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that this exercise and perch systemprovides a unique scalable structure for both the pet, and occupant ofthe household by creating easily accessed, and safe near-ceiling perchspace while taking a minimum of floor space from the room, and doing soin an aesthetic manner. The device is extremely compact whendisassembled. It can be packed in a low volume box for users that movefrequently and retail outlets that need to maximize floor and shelfspace within a store or warehouse. These features are made possible by:

-   -   The use of semicircular steps which minimizes the overall        diameter of the device allowing it to be located closer to        corners.    -   Graduation of the step radius, small near the bottom, and        increasing with height maximizes floor space for the occupants        and provides added safety for the cats as they approach the        ceiling.    -   The use of 120 degree rotational intervals allows for faster        ascent and descent.    -   “Multiply” plywood or composite materials provide needed        stiffness while reducing manufacturing costs, complexity and        maintaining a low shipping weight.    -   The coupler-screw system in conjunction with the dowels (or        tabs) creates a ridged post from a collection of individual        components.    -   The adjuster sizing mechanism provides ease of fine adjustment        while protecting the ceiling from damage and automatically        adjusting for changes in floor materials.

Thus the reader will see that the perch and exercise system of theinvention provides a scalable, lightweight and economical device thatcan be transported, setup and installed by persons of almost any age.

While my above description contains many specificities these should notbe construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather asan exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many othervariations are possible. For example: the spacers could be extruded in ahollow triangular form shown in FIG. 14 with positioning ribs on theinside at each apex forming integral dowel sockets and inside anti-flexribs from the middle of each facet that provide additional lateralstrength and act as a spring holding socket at the top of the adjustermechanism.

Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by theembodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legalequivalents.

1. A readily assembled column structure comprising: multiple hollowrigid spacer members interspersed with one or more functional members,wherein the functional members are held firmly in compression betweenthe spacer members by means of one or more compressive elementstraversing the longitudinal axis of the hollow rigid spacer members andthe functional members; fasteners releasably securing the terminal endsof the one or more compressive elements to the respective terminal endsof the spacer elements of the column in a manner that enables the entirecolumn assembly of hollow rigid spacers and functional members to becompressed in order to provide rigidity and stability to the column; anda spring assembly attached to at least one end of said column andaxially aligned with the column to allow for removably inserting thecolumn between two fixed surfaces.
 2. A column according to claim 1wherein the confining one or more compressive elements is comprised of amultiplicity of compressive elements mated end to end, each compressiveelements having an externally threaded end and secured to an internallythreaded coupler-screw for receiving the threaded end of a successiverod with means for limiting the depth to which the rod may penetrate thecoupler screw, said mated rods and coupler screws forming a continuouscompressive element having fasteners at both ends adapted for releasablyengaging the terminal spacers or functional elements of the column andsecuring the entire column under compression.
 3. A column according toclaim 2 wherein one terminal spacer has attached thereto a platformelement at the bottom of the column and the other end has attached thereto an anti-rotational jack screw spring assembly defining the top foradjustable insertion between floor and ceiling.
 4. A column according toclaim 3 wherein the functional elements are stair treads and loftplatforms protruding perpendicular to the axis of the column spacedequidistant along the column axis and at equal angular intervals aroundthe column to provide a spiral cat climber.
 5. A column according toclaim 4 wherein one or more of the topmost functional elements arelarger than the stair treads to provide a cat loft or perch.
 6. A columnaccording to claim 5 wherein the stair treads and perch upper surfaceareas are carpeted.
 7. A column according to claim 5 wherein the perchareas are adapted to hold a detachable pillow.
 8. A column according toclaim 5 wherein the cross section of the column is triangular orpolytriangular.
 9. A column according to claim 5 wherein the spacermembers and treads members defining the column are solid material havingan axial hole the entire length of the column sized for one or morecompressive elements to fit tightly therein with enlargements toaccommodate the coupler screws.
 10. A column according to claim 5wherein the spacer members and tread members are molded plastic.
 11. Acat climbing and perching device comprising a spiral cat staircasehaving a segmented central core rod joined by coupler screws confining avertical stack of spacer elements interspersed with horizontal stairtreads, said stack held under compression by threaded elements affixedto the terminal ends of the central core rod, a top spring loaded jackscrew assembly and a bottom base plate assembly.
 12. The device in claim11 wherein the column has a triangular cross section.
 13. The device ofclaim 12 wherein the stair treads are non-rotatably locked to theadjacent spacer elements.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein the treadsare of increasing size at higher elevations.
 15. The device of claim 14wherein the stair tread mounting is an angularly adjustable bracket.